Means for supporting centrifugal machines.



H. W. STURGES. MEANS FOR SUPPORTING GENTBIFUGAE MACHINES. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 30, 1906.

1,044,287. Patented Nov. 12,1912.

.l 30061050 r.- J Wdm f QM/QrJa/W to permit the inner one to rock or oscillate slightly inside the other. The flange of each spider is provided with a series of vertical slots and the driving connection between them is made by means of a piece of belting a passed through the opposed vertical slots of the respective hangers in the manner indicated in Fig. 2. This l'ielting gives sufticient flexibility to permit the slight degree of oscillation required for the inner spider and atthe same time causes the rotary movement of the outer spider to be imparted to the inner spiderand to t 1e oscillatory basket shaft. 6

One feature'of my invention consists in disposing this flexible connection between the drive "shaft and the basket shaft in a plane between the motor and the center of oscillation or the universal joint, this arrangement being preferred because at that point the oscillatory movement of the basket shaft in relation to the drive shaft is less than would be the case if the connection was made below the motor.

It will also be observed that by this construction and arrangement the entire weight of both elements of the motor, as well as the frame in which they are suspended, is carried independently of the universal joint so that the universal joint is relieved of the entire weight of all motor parts and hangers. This independent suspension of the entire motor lessens the tentlmicy of the suspended shaft to spring from the raight line and also lessens the tendency of the universal joint to become heated when the machine is in operation.

It will be understood that various modifications of the details of arrangement and construction are possible in the practice of the principle of this invention.

YVithout attempting to set forth or indicate the various changes in form, construction and arrangement that may be made in the practice of myinvention, what I claim is 1. In a centrifugal machine the combination of the rigid motoreupportii1g frame provided with stationary bearings, the hollow motor shaft mounted therein, a rotary basketcarrying shaft suspended to hang through said hollow shaft by means of a universal joint located above and independently of/the motor shaft, and connecting means forming a flexible driving connection between said motor shaft and said rotary basket-shaft adjacent to the universal joint, substantially as described.

2. In a centrifugal machine the combination ofthe rotary basket-carrying shaft sus pended from a fixed overhead supporting hanger by means of a universal joint to permit oscillation of the shaft on all sides, a hollow rotary non-oscillating drive shaft mounted to surround the upper portion of said rotary shaft, and means for flexibly connecting the hollow drive shaft with the rotary basket-shaft to rotate the basket without preventing its oscillation, the con net-ting means being located above the hollow drive shaft adjacent to the universal joint, substantially as described.

In a centrifugal machine the combination of a fixed overhead support, two concentric hollow shafts separated by an annular clearance space, the outer shaft being rotatably mounted in fixed bearings and the inner shaft being supported by an oscillatory spindle suspended from said fixed support by a ball and socket joint, a basket secured to the lower end of the inner shaft, and means for flexibly connecting the outer shaft with the inner shaft to rotate the same, substantially as described.

4. In a centrifugal machine the combination of the two concentric hollow shafts, the outer shaft being mounted to rotate in a fixed bearing, the inner shaft being suspended by an overhead universal joint to hang through the outer shaft without con.- tact therewith and to oscillate therein, a

basket secured to the lower end of the innershaft, an outwardly projecting spider or hub being secured to the upper end of each of said shafts, and a flexible lashing for connecting said spiders while permitting the oscillation of one relative to the other, substantially as described.

5. In a centrifugal machine the combination of an electric motor secured to a tubular shaft mounted in stationary bearings, a

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concentric basket-carrying shaft suspended.

by a universal joint from a fixed hanger above the plane of the motor, and means for flexibly connecting the basket-carrying shaft with the tubular motor shaft to rotate the former, said connection being formed. above the plane of the motor, substantially as described.

6. In a centrifugal drive, the combination with. a hanger, of a non-rotatable spine dle having a gyration bearing in said hanger, a hollow shaft embracing said spindle and having a step or thrust bearing thereon, a basket shaft coupled to said hollow shaft, a motor, the rotatable element of said motor being non-gyratory and embracing said hollow shaft and spindle, and a flexible coupling between said rotatable motor element and said hollow shaft.

'2'. In a centrifugal drive, the combination with a base or support, of a hanger supported thereby, a gyratory spindle supported, by said, hanger, a hollow shaft embracing said spindle and having a step or thrust bearing on said spindle, a basket shaft secured to said hollow shaft, a sleeve embracing said hollow shaft, a yoke or bracket supported by said base member, a bearing member'secured to sa yoke or bracket, said sleeve having a bearing in said bearing support, said sleeve embracin said hollow shaft and carrying the rotatable element of a motor, the fixed motor elementbeing supported by said yoke or bracket.

8, In a centrifugal drive, the combinanation with a hanger, of a gyratory shaft support/ed thereby, an electric motor, the motor elements being non-gyratory, a hollow shaft embracing said gyratory shaft, a coupling between said hollow shaft and the rotatable motor element, and a solid basket shaft coupled to said hollow shaft and extending below said gyratory shaft.

'9. The combination with a hanger, of a gyratory shaft supported thereby, a hollow shaft surrounding said gyratory shaft, an electric motor, the motor elements being non-gyratory, a coupling between the rotat- 20 ing motor element and said ho'llow shaft,

said gyratory and hollow shafts extending freely through the rotatable motor element. 10. The combination with a hanger, of a gyratory shaft su'pported thereby, a hollow shaft surroiinding said gyratory shaft, an electric motor, the motor elements being n0n-gyratory, a coupling between the rotating motor element and said hollow shaft, said gyratory and hollow shafts extending freely through the rotatable motor element, and a basket shaft coupled to said hollow shaft and extending below said gyratory shaft.

. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 28th day of June 1906.

HARRY W. STURGES.

' In the presence of COMFORT A. ADAMs, GEO. H. GODDARD. 

